Philadelphia is no stranger to politics. The city has a historic record when it comes to hosting political party conventions.

CCTV America’s Sean Callebs has this report from Philadelphia.

The city has long secured its place in United States history, with the Liberty Bell, the old Pennsylvania Statehouse and legions of democrats streaming into the city – Philadelphia is the site of the 12th national political convention.

At the storied Foundation of the Union League, visitors are flocking to a display recognizing all the conventions that came before 2016.

Philadelphia native Ron Rothman is a volunteer at the Democratic National Convention, which means getting up to speed on the city’s history.

It all started in 1948: Democrats, Republicans and the left-leaning Progressive Party had a presidential candidate in that year.

And it happened during a very hot summer before Philly buildings had air conditioning.

“They tried to cool off the buildings with big blocks of ice and it didn’t work and became a debacle,” Ron Rothman said. “We did not have another convention here for 52 years.”

But 1948 did have its signature moment. Senator Hubert Humphrey from Minnesota delivered a historic speech, imploring delegates to get out of the “shadows of states’ rights” and “walk into the bright sunshine of human rights.” That became the party’s first venture into civil rights.

“That’s the turning moment of the democratic party,” Jim Mundy, Union League director of education and programming said. “That’s when democratic party became the party of the 20th and the 21st century.”

The last convention held in Philadelphia was in 2000. The Republicans nominated George W. Bush. And although he lost the popular vote, he did go on to be the 43rd President of the United States.